Monthly Archives: May 2015

The Ottawa Valley Chapter of the Air and Waste Management Association (A&WMA-OVC) will be hosting a presentation and networking event on “Fate and Effects of Nanoparticles in Biosolids and Soils” on May 21, 2015.

This presentation will provide an overview of the properties and uses of nanomaterials, why they are likely to end up in the waste stream, and the current analytical techniques used to detect, size and quantify them in environmental media. In particular, the ecotoxicity of silver nanoparticles will be addressed as well as the challenges of characterizing nano-silver exposure in soils and biosolids. Finally, an overview of the nano-silver ecotoxicity study being conducted by the Nanomaterials Research Laboratory will be presented.

Dr. Schwertfeger completed her Ph.D. (Renewable Resources) from McGill University in 2011, where she continued as a Postdoctoral researcher in the Dept. of Natural Resource Sciences until joining the Soil Toxicology Laboratory at Environment Canada. Dr. Schwertfeger has over 15 years’ experience engaged in soil research and environmental risk assessment, including six years working with a private soil testing and environmental consulting. In addition to publishing much of her research in peerreviewed scientific journals, Dr. Schwertfeger has authored a number of commissioned reports for Environment Canada, the Canadian Network of Toxicological Centers, and for members of the metal industry. She currently provides input to the OECD’s Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials. Dr. Schwertfeger’s research has focused on the quantification of trace metal bioavailability in contaminated soils. Recently she has expanded her research to include investigating the transformations and bioavailability of engineered nanomaterials in soils and biosolids.

STUDENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:2 students to help at the registration desk; in return, your registration will be reimbursed. Email Holly if you are interested at holly.dole@uottawa.ca. Don’t miss this networking opportunity!

Note – limited seating is available for this event! RSVP your attendance to awma.ovc@gmail.com and pre-pay online at www.awma-ovc.ca to guarantee your seat. Limited tickets also available at the door.